Granulated metrial gland cells in the non-traumatized regions of the uterus of ovariectomized mice with deciduomata maintained on progesterone.

A study has been made of granulated metrial gland (GMG) cells in the non-traumatized regions of the uterus of ovariectomized mice maintained on progesterone and with deciduomata in part of one uterine horn. GMG cells were found in the non-traumatized region of the uterine horns with deciduomata for at least 8 days after induction of the decidual reaction. GMG cells were not found in the contralateral horns without deciduomata. Activation of endometrial stromal cells is characterized by a high mitotic index and, in mice given colchicine, numerous stromal cells were arrested in metaphase in the non-traumatized region of the uterine horns with deciduomata for at least 3 days after induction of the deciduomata. In uterine horns without deciduomata, stromal metaphases were few in number over the same period. A correlation was therefore found between the presence of GMG cells and large numbers of stromal cells in mitosis. There was also a correlation between the absence of GMG cells and small numbers of stromal cells in mitosis. These results are compatible with the hypothesis that the differentiation and maintenance of GMG cells are under the control of endometrial stromal cells.